Watford celebrates another record breaking year for its parks

Watford now has 12 Green Flag awards, more than any other district in Hertfordshire.

Published: Tuesday, 17th July 2018

Watford’s green spaces have been granted more Green Flag awards than any other district in Hertfordshire for the third year running.

Once again, Watford Borough Council and Veolia broke the record, with 12 parks and open spaces in Watford now recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as some of the very best in the country. The 2018 Green Flag status parks in Watford are: Cassiobury Park, Woodside Playing Fields, Cheslyn House and Gardens, Waterfields Recreation Ground, Callowland Recreation Ground, North Watford Playing Fields, Oxhey Park, St Mary’s Churchyard, Goodwood Recreation Ground, Paddock Road Allotments, North Watford Cemetery, and for the first time - Harwoods Recreation Ground.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “This is excellent news for everyone who lives, works and visits Watford. North Watford Playing Fields (Orchard Park) scored especially high this year as did Waterfields Recreation Ground, Oxhey Park and Cassiobury Park.

“We are delighted to have set a new Green Flags record for Watford which is the highest in Hertfordshire. This adds to the Horticulture Week Custodian Award that Cassiobury Park recently picked up for Best Park Restoration Project. For many years we have invested in Watford’s parks and green spaces so that everyone is able to enjoy them. These awards are well deserved recognition for the hard work done by volunteers and staff at Watford Council and Veolia to maintain our green spaces to a very high standard.”

Darren Harding, Senior Contract Manager at Veolia said: “We are absolutely delighted to be awarded 12 Green Flag Awards this year - an increase from 11 in 2017. With the very harsh winter and a particularly wet start to the year, the management of the parks to the highest standard has been particularly challenging. I would like to thank all colleagues at Watford Borough Council, Veolia staff, volunteers and friends groups, who, despite the challenges, worked very hard to ensure that 2018 is another record breaking year for Watford’s Parks.”

This huge success has been achieved thanks to a strong partnership between Watford Borough Council and Veolia. In 2017 the two organisations were given the Horticulture Week Custodian Award Best Parks Partnership - Commercial 2017 award.